Winter health watch summary: 1 February 2018

Updated 29 March 2018

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/winter-health-watch-weekly-summaries-2017-to-2018/winter-health-watch-summary-1-february-2018

1. Summary

1.1 Cold alert

North East England, North West England and Yorkshire and the Humber are currently at level 2 cold weather alert (alert and readiness).

Prior cold weather alerts have been in place this season from:

24 November to 2 December
7 December to 19 December
26 December to 29 December
6 January to 17 January
19 January to 22 January
31 January to 2 February

1.2 Flu

During week 4 (ending 28 January 2018), influenza activity continues to circulate but is stabilising across several indicators. Influenza A and B are co-circulating. The Department of Health has issued an alert on the prescription of antiviral medicines by GPs.

1.3 Syndromic surveillance

During week 4, 2018 there were small decreases in influenza-like illness across several syndromic surveillance systems.

1.4 Norovirus

Norovirus activity appears to have peaked.

Since week 27, 2017 there have been 3163 laboratory reports of norovirus in England and Wales. As a result of activity earlier in the season this is 2% lower than the average number for the same period in the previous 5 seasons from season 2012 to 2013 to season 2016 to 2017 (3226); however activity in the most recent weeks has increased and is now above the 5-season average for this reporting week.

Reports of suspected and confirmed outbreaks of norovirus in hospitals in England are currently at lower levels than in previous years (2009 to 2016).

1.5 Rotavirus

Since week 27, 2017, there have been 693 laboratory reports of rotavirus in England and Wales. This is 45% lower than the average for seasons 2013 to 2014 to 2016 to 2017 (1249) (the period after vaccine was introduced).

Following the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine into the routine childhood immunisation schedule in July 2013, the total number of laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infections each season has remained low compared to the pre-vaccine period.

1.6 All-cause mortality

In week 4, 2018, statistically significant excess all-cause mortality by week of death was seen through the EuroMOMO algorithm overall and in the 65+ year olds in England.

Throughout the winter, local weekly flu and infectious intestinal disease bulletins are available from the relevant PHE Field Epidemiology Team.

The contact details are:

East Midlands: FES.EM@phe.gov.uk

East of England: EFEU@phe.gov.uk

London: FES.SEaL@phe.gov.uk

North East: FES.NorthEast@phe.gov.uk

North West: FES.NorthWest@phe.gov.uk

South East: FES.SEaL@phe.gov.uk

South West: FES.SouthWest@phe.gov.uk

West Midlands: FES.WestMidlands@phe.gov.uk

Yorkshire and Humber: YHFES@phe.gov.uk